Letters from readers: Commentary on March on Washington and T-U coverage

Tuesday

Aug 27, 2013 at 2:24 PM

The recent letters and articles regarding the March on Washington deserve multiple accolades and praise for the wonderful choices of writers and content. Martin Luther King Jr. would have shouted with delight at the broad and realistic coverage given his speech.

At my age of 72, I can see the changes that took place following his calm delivery of that historical moment that reverberates even today.

It is too bad that his effect on our lives won't be felt by everyone. Nevertheless, it will be documented in history forever.

My thanks to the Times-Union for being an integral part of that history.

Robert A. Taylor,

Jacksonville

NORTHWEST JACKSONVILLE

Bring out of shadowsI read with interest the letter on the challenges in the 32209 ZIP code in Northwest Jacksonville by the regional head of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

I am fortunate to own a business that requires me to be in this area on many occasions. I totally agree with the comments in the article.

This is a forgotten area of Jacksonville. I have worked in Cuba and Haiti and have seen similar scenes in each of these countries that can be found in this ZIP code. We will not move this city forward until we address the city as a whole. If you don't believe me, take Interstate 95 north from your house and get off on any exit after Riverside and before the zoo.

No change comes fast either. It will take a generation to overcome. Which generation do we choose to begin with? It does come down to parental involvement and education. Most of these parents are struggling just to survive and cannot provide the oversight and involvement to take their kids to the next level.

Those who have great gifts of education and prosperity need to pay it back.

I have seen the benefits of mentoring. If we can get to the kids while they are young, we can change the future.

There is no reason this area of our great city should not enjoy the same benefits as the rest. It doesn't take much, just an hour a week. Please consider it.

John Cooksey,

Jacksonville

STORY ON MEDICAL CLINIC

Why taxpayers revoltI was not surprised to read about yet another taxpayer rip-off: Reggie Gaffney's "clinic" on Edgewood Avenue West.

It just follows a long, ugly list of taxpayer dollars (Shipyards) flushed down the sewer by our elected and appointed officials.

No doubt we will someday see a Times-Union story about millions of taxpayer dollars sent to some emailer in Nigeria.

Lee Suprenant,

Jacksonville

REPLY: DENTON COLUMN

Progress? Not so muchOrdinarily I find myself pretty much in agreement with Editor Frank Denton's columns as they always seem well-reasoned and fair-handed.

I do have a quibble, though, with his recent column exclaiming how far we have come in the 50 years since the March on Washington.

I won't touch the larger issue of just how much progress we've made in race relations; that will likely still be debated 50 years from now.

What troubles me is that he seemed to be using this issue to give the Times-Union a big pat on the back, insinuating that in 1963 it was a racist rag and is now so very enlightened.

As he notes, the Times-Union was covering the march from a perspective of 50 years ago and 700 miles away in a nonelectronic age. How could the coverage be as up-to-the minute and as targeted toward a Jacksonville audience as it would be today?

Imagine the hue and cry from subscribers of that day if there had been a headline "Great day for Negroes, speech for the ages given."

One thing Denton brings up is "the lower standards of journalism a half-century ago."

Yes, and now we have Fox News and Rupert Murdoch's antics, the man behind Amazon buying the Washington Post and the Koch brothers attempting to build a newspaper/propaganda empire. There are lofty standards for you.

And, finally, he targets the 1963 Times-Union for carrying the "angry" columns of conservative David Lawrence while in the Times-Union I see the columns of Ann Coulter.

Yes, we've really come a long way.

Jim Burns,

Jacksonville

MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Cheers for Randolph storyThe front-page story on A. Philip Randolph cast an expanded reflection on the dramatic events of our country during this 50-year commemoration of the March on Washington and the "I Have a Dream" speech.

The Times-Union's research is full of significant history and a revival of memories and gratitude for a brave leader of freedom and democracy!

Randolph's role is often overshadowed and so merits the depth of the story.

I am proud to live in the city where he grew up and prepared to leave his legacy of responsibility, perseverance and hope.

The authenticity of his character and servant leadership encourages us to reflect on the phrase, "Check your ego at the door!" The timing for this message could not be more relevant.

Thank you, Mark Woods and the Times-Union. I am passing the excellent story to grandchildren in other cities and hoping it is read by young and old people in our community.

Davy Parrish,

Jacksonville

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